This intersection closed to traffic and pedestrians on Feb. 26. Work is expected to be completed by mid-March. | Photo by Dorri Partain
This intersection closed to traffic and pedestrians on Feb. 26. Work is expected to be completed by mid-March. | Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain

Managing Editor

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Kansas City Public Works closed the intersection at Elmwood and St. John Avenues — creating detours for drivers and an alternate route for the RideKC transit system.

With a timeline of three weeks, construction crews are creating a raised intersection to slow traffic and increase pedestrian safety. This intersection sees a high number of pedestrians with children crossing to reach Gladstone Elementary, one block north on Elmwood Avenue.

 Many motorists are deterred by the closing of this intersection at St. John and Elmwood Avenues. | Photo by Dorri Partain

Concerned about speeding vehicles and pedestrian safety, Indian Mound neighborhood residents undertook the lengthy process of applying for the City’s Public Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) funding 2019 to create safer intersections along St. John Avenue. Public engagement sessions were held in 2024 to assist with resident input and final designs.

St. John is the major thoroughfare through both Indian Mound and Scarritt Renaissance neighborhoods but this round of funding only applies to the section that runs from Elmwood Avenue to Belmont Boulevard —  within the Indian Mound neighborhood boundaries — specifically targeting intersections that previously were regulated by traffic signals. Representatives with the Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood are currently working with the Public Works department for similar improvements along St. John between Jackson Avenue and Benton Boulevard. 

In addition to repaving St. John within the Indian Mound boundaries, pedestrian medians were constructed at the Van Brunt Boulevard. intersection and raised crosswalks at Quincy and White avenues. An additional raised crosswalk intersection will be constructed at St. John and Topping Avenues following the completion of the Elmwood Avenue construction. This location was selected due its proximity to James Elementary.

RideKC route #11 Northeast-Westside follows its regular bus route to Brighton Avenue, then turns south to connect with Van Brunt Boulevard to Independence Avenue — leaving no service to the regular stops at Elmwood Avenue and those west to Benton Boulevard.

While detour signs and notices at bus stops were posted prior to the closure and resulting detours, drivers and transit riders have still experienced confusion and remarked on social media that they were unaware of the construction and need for traffic calming.